Author: KVIA

Heriberto Perez Lara

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, some border residents expressed divided opinions regarding a local businessman’s proposal to rename the Bridge of the Americas after President Donald Trump.

The El Paso Chamber, along with other local business leaders, held a news conference Wednesday in Downtown El Paso. Leaders called on local, state, and federal government leaders and officials to reconsider removing commercial traffic from the Bridge of the Americas.

During the conference, Economy Wholesale Grocers President Paul Dipp said the bridge should be named after President Trump.

“I also propose, along with many others, that the bridge be renamed the Donald J. Trump Bridge of the Americas in recognition of President Trump’s commitment to American industry and to bringing domestic manufacturing back as one of our nation’s greatest strengths,” Dipp said. “A modernized bridge that keeps this trade moving would be a fitting monument to his (President Trump) vision.”

ABC-7 reached out to the office of Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and the El Paso Chamber of Commerce to get their comments on this proposal.

Rep. Veronica Escobar’s office sent us the following written statement:

“Gas prices are through the roof because of Donald Trump’s illegal war in Iran; businesses and consumers are struggling because of Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs; and Donald Trump announced that he will not renew our trade agreement with Mexico and Canada. And the El Paso Chamber wants to focus its efforts on renaming the Bridge of the Americas after Donald Trump?”

“Some decisions — like the Chamber’s decision to not engage during the four year, robust public process for Bridge of the Americas despite our invitations — are just inexplicable. There’s still time for them to refocus their efforts on helping those of us planning and working to ensure our other land ports of entry are ready for the shift in commercial traffic in the years to come. But I won’t hold my breath.”

El Paso Chamber also sent to ABC-7 the following written statement:

“El Paso Chamber does not endorse the proposal to rename the Bridge of the Americas. Our focus is on the bridge’s role in our region: its commercial traffic is essential to El Paso’s economic well-being, and supporting the businesses and workers who depend on it remains our priority.”

You can watch the full story in our afternoon and evening newscasts.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — As El Paso prepares to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, Destination El Paso invited the community to enjoy live music, food and local vendors for the next three weekends.

The three-weekend events are free and open to the public. Each weekend will feature a different thee to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, from remembering pets to honoring loved ones and celebrating life.

The celebration will take place at the Downtown Visitor Information Center (1 Civic Center Plaza).

“We want to celebrate something that’s nice, near and close to our to our heart, and it gives us an opportunity to do that, to bring the community together, to remember the loved ones that have passed,” said Veronica Castro, Visit El Paso’s executive director.

The first celebration will kick off Friday.

Oct 16-17: The Pawprints on Our Hearts weekend remembers the pets who brought joy and companionship into their owners’ lives.

Oct. 23-24: This weekend will remember the stars who inspired, entertained and left a lasting impact on fans.

Oct. 30 to Nov. 1: The final weekend will honor family, friends and loved ones who passed.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Fire Department is warning local businesses and residents about a scam impersonating EPFD personnel.

The City of El Paso said individuals involved in the scam falsely claim to represent EPFD and demand payment for fire-related services.

“EPFD will never request or demand upfront payment from businesses or residents for fire inspections, smoke detector installations, or other Fire Department services. EPFD personnel will also never instruct someone to provide cash or payment to a delivery driver or other third party,” the city said.

Anyone who comes across a suspicious request should end the interaction and verify the request with EPFD’s official communication channels. The city advised to not make any payments or provide personal information.

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Five people face federal drug trafficking charges for allegedly distributing narcotics through an operation coordinated by an American citizen incarcerated in a Juarez prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office District for New Mexico, the FBI, Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics and Homeland Security Investigations launched an investigation into a drug trafficking organization accused of distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl from Juarez to southern New Mexico.

Investigators identified 34-year-old Felix Anthony Salazar III as a suspect. USAO said Salazar is an American citizen who was incarcerated in Juarez.

Felix Anthony Salazar III allegedly organized several narcotics transactions. (Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico)

On Sept. 5, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged for an undercover agent to buy one kilogram of methamphetamine for $3,800 in Anthony, New Mexico.

USAO said 28-year-old Yadira Lizett Cano from El Paso drove to the meeting location with a 16-year-old boy, who delivered the methamphetamine to the undercover agent and collected the money. Lab tests confirmed the packages had 973 grams of pure methamphetamine. Investigators alleged Cano knowingly used the teenager to facilitate the transaction.

On Sept. 17, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged another transaction involving half a kilogram of methamphetamine for $1,800 in Sunland Park.

USAO said 36-year-old Moses Andrew Gonzales and 36-year-old Martha Janeth Grijalva Fierro, both from El Paso, arrived together. Gonzales allegedly delivered the drugs to an undercover agent.

Investigators found communications between Salazar and Grijalva Fierro that allegedly connected her to the arrangement. USAO said lab tests confirmed the package had 468 grams of pure methamphetamine.

On Oct. 24, 2025, Salazar allegedly arranged another drug transaction in Las Cruces. USAO said 31-year-old Suleima Eidali Miranda told an undercover agent to go to a home. Miranda allegedly delivered packages of methamphetamine and fentanyl pills in exchange for $2,000. Lab tests said the packages had 984 grams of pure methamphetamine and 251 grams of fentanyl, USAO said.

All five suspects were arrested and placed in federal custody. Salazar surrendered to law enforcement Sunday after crossing the border from Mexico into the U.S., USAO said.

Felix Anthony Salazar III allegedly organized several narcotics transactions. (Courtesy: U.S. Attorney’s Office District of New Mexico)

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Gabrielle Lopez

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said it arrested a man accused of letting his child drive an ATV without functioning brakes.

On Monday, deputies received a report of a crash at the intersection of Cypress Street and Wahlen Lane in Fabens.

EPCSO said 37-year-old Jose Luis Lechuga let his 12-year-old son drive an ATV on a public road without supervision. According to investigators, Lechuga didn’t tell his son that the ATV’s brakes weren’t working.

Jose Luis Lechuga’s mugshot.(Courtesy: EPCSO)

The child crashed into a guardrail and was transported to a hospital, EPCSO said. He’s in stable condition.

Deputies arrested Lechuga and charged him with abandoning/endangerment of a child. The sheriff’s office booked him into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility with a $10,000 bond.

“ATVs should not be operated on public roadways, and safety must always come first,” said Sheriff Oscar Ugarte in a statement. “Before allowing a child to ride, parents must ensure the ATV is in safe working condition, provide proper supervision, and make sure their child wears a helmet and appropriate protective gear. These precautions can help prevent serious injuries.”

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Gabrielle Lopez

SANTA TERESA, N.M. (KVIA) — Doña Ana Fire Rescue crews and County Animal Control rescued a cat that wandered into the undercarriage of its owner’s car Wednesday.

Just after 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, firefighters went to a home off of N Country Club Road. Kitty’s owner tried to find the cat, but couldn’t because of it’s dark-colored fur. Kitty’s owner said the cat was stuck and “meowing loudly.”

Doña Ana Fire said Kitty’s owner called Doña Ana County Animal Control for help, and the organization asked Doña Ana Fire to assist.

Firefighters from Station 55 worked with County Animal Control personnel to find and remove Kitty from under the car.

Doña Ana County firefighters rescued Kitty the cat after its owner said it got stuck under a car.(Courtesy: Doña Ana Fire)

“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of both agencies, Kitty was safely reunited with the owner without any injuries,” Doña Ana Fire said.

Kitty didn’t sustain any injuries from the rescue, according to Doña Ana Fire.(Courtesy: Doña Ana Fire)

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Nichole Gomez

El Paso, TX (KVIA-TV)- The El Paso Public Library is inviting nonprofit organizations, community groups, vendors, teen entrepreneurs, and food trucks to take part in TeenTober Fest: Keep It Lit, which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, at the Judge Marquez Branch Library (610 N. Yarbrough) and the adjacent Ralph T. Cloud Park.

TeenTober Fest, a free event for teenagers, is being presented in association with the BOOST Network, the United Way of El Paso County, and the Paso del Norte Health Foundation, and combines music, creativity, entertainment, and community resources in a single high-energy evening.

The festival this year with a neon theme will have live music, workshops, board and video games, a cosplay and costume competition, a haunted house aimed at teenagers, and other activities.

Organizations and businesses can be part of the celebration in several ways:

Nonprofit organizations and community groups should set up a booth offering resources, educational opportunities, programs, or interactive activities for teenagers. Vendors and young entrepreneurs should display and sell their merchandise, products, and creative work. Throughout the evening, food trucks will provide festivalgoers with food and refreshments.

By taking part in TeenTober Fest, organizations and businesses get the opportunity to establish a direct link with local teens and families, publicize their programs or products, and help out with a community event that focuses on young people and their interests.

Anyone interested in taking part, whether they are organisations, vendors, or food trucks, can sign up via the TeenTober section on ElPasoLibrary.org.

If you want to find out more about TeenTober Fest and other free programs and events provided by the El Paso Public Libraries, you can go to ElPasoLibrary.org.

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Mia Tricarico

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — Thursday, four El Paso non-profits stepped into the boxing ring together, not as competitors, but as teammates fighting for the community.

El Paso Giving Day is the region’s largest online day of charitable giving. Created to spotlight nonprofit organizations and inspire a new generation of donors, El Paso Giving Day rallies the community to step into the ring for the causes that strengthen the Paso del Norte region.

Reach for a Star, League of Heroes, El Paso Unlimited and Ambassadors and Samaritans Community Foundation all celebrated their first year participating in El Paso Giving Day Thursday. Instead of navigating and fundraising alone, the organizations teamed up to support each other.

Despite having different daily missions, they came together today for a shared cause: one community.

Reach for a Star grants wishes and creates meaningful experiences for children facing critical illnesses throughout West Texas and Southern New Mexico.

League of Heroes supports youth and veterans through mentorship, education, STEM opportunities, community programs and fundraising efforts that encourage healthy, positive growth while creating opportunities for local families.

El Paso Unlimited serves children and families within the special needs community, creating opportunities for inclusion through soccer and other sports, arts and crafts, social gatherings, nature outings, and shared experiences.

Ambassadors and Samaritans Community Foundation is an El Paso nonprofit helping individuals and families overcome hardships through faith-based support, mentorship, recovery resources, housing assistance, and community outreach.

Local luchadores also joined in the effort. They stepped into their corners not simply for entertainment, but as community partners helping bring the Giving Day message to life. They brought a boxing ring so donors could get creative and hop in the ring.

Giving Day kicked off at 8 a.m. Thursday. Eligible donations may be matched dollar-for-dollar. The Paso del Norte Community Foundation said a gift as small as $10 can join thousands of others to create an impact across the Borderland.

In the evening, Giving Day organizers will keep the energy of giving going with a “milk n’ cookies power hour” from 8:30-10 p.m.

To donate on Giving Day, click this link. You can choose specific nonprofits to donate to.

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Carpio Griego

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) — Voters will see a bond regarding renovations to the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library.

In July 2026, the Las Cruces City Council approved a resolution for the public to vote on the General Obligation (GO) bond to support the project. The bond is secured by property tax capacity already in place.

On the ballot, voters will decide whether they want to support the project without a tax increase.

Here’s what voters will see on the ballot:

2026 GO Bond question:Shall the City of Las Cruces be authorized to issue general obligation bonds, payable from property taxes, in an amount up to $26,000,000 to acquire, plan, design, develop, construct, improve, renovate, modernize, automate, furnish and equip the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library?

The project is expected to add 20,000 square feet to the library, an expanded children’s area and more ADA-compliant features. Library Deputy Director Sarah Booth said the ADA-compliant plan involves changing the bookshelves. She said they’re too close together and too tall.

Booth said the building is due for renovation as the city has “outgrown it,” just as it did with the previous library, which is now the Branigan Cultural Center.

The bond passing, in Booth’s words, would give residents “the library of their dreams that they deserve.”

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Joseph Montero

UPDATE (Oct. 15, 2026): The El Paso Police Department said a 20-year-old motorcyclist died after the crash on Wednesday night.

EPPD said Brandon Olivas drove his motorcycle eastbound at a “high rate of speed.” At the same time, the driver of a Chevy Malibu car drove westbound.

The driver of the Malibu turned left, and Olivas crashed into the car, according to police. Olivas was sent to a hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Police said contributing factors to the crash were failure to yield the right of way and speed. This is the 53rd traffic death of 2026 compared to 50 last year.

The crash happened near Bernadine Avenue, which is close to the Columbia Apartments.

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) — The El Paso Fire Department has confirmed to ABC-7 that one person has been transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a crash Wednesday.

The crash happened on Bernadine Avenue in the Lower Valley.

Fire officials say the call came in just before 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening. The El Paso Fire Department’s FireSTAR helicopter landed at the scene, but didn’t transport anyone.

At the scene, an ABC-7 crew saw a motorcycle on the ground.

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